Xalkori And The Art Of Modern Drug Development

Pfizer developed crizotinib and its companion diagnostic in just four years after identifying an aberrant ALK gene as the target, spanning a corporate restructuring, the Wyeth integration, and the departure of senior staff in the R&D organization and oncology BU. The next year or so will tell whether Xalkori was a flash in the pan, or whether it marks the long awaited turnaround for Pfizer’s oncology business and a model for nimble drug development.